Page 24 of Between Two Kings

“Why would I do that?” Apollo asked back.

“Caspen told me that’s what mating season is for.”

A slow, sultry smile slid over Apollo’s lips. “I do not seek a mate.”

“Why not?”

“I do not desire one.”

“Then what do you desire?”

Somehow, the question felt significant. Tem had meant in general, but something about the way Apollo’s smile deepened made her feel like she’d asked something else entirely.

“Pleasure,” he said simply.

Another silence. Beside her, Caspen shifted but didn’t say anything. She got the impression he was watching their interaction to see how it would pan out. Tem wasn’t sure what he expected. Apollo made her feel…precarious. As if at any moment, she might tumble.

“If you don’t want a mate, then why are you here?”

“I am here because mating season is an opportunity to experience everything my people have to offer. Surely Caspenon told you that.”

Tem could read between the lines: Apollo was saying he was here to have as much sex as possible. “That seems wrong.”

Apollo raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

“What if someone develops feelings for you?”

He tilted his head. “Then I will let them down easy.”

“What if you develop feelings for someone?”

To her surprise, Caspen laughed. She looked up at him in bewilderment. “What’s so funny?”

“My brother is incapable of developing feelings. He is only capable of deceit. He manipulates, and he lies.”

“I thought basilisks couldn’t lie.”

Caspen’s lip curled into a sneer. “My brother finds a way.”

There was such vitriol in his words that Tem nearly recoiled. Clearly there was a history here, one she did not understand. And if she knew Caspen, he was never going to tell her.

“Lies are deception,” Apollo said smoothly. “And I think you will find I am always truthful.” His gaze slid to Caspen’s. “Some might say to a fault.”

Tem had no idea what to make of that. The conversation had quickly gotten beyond her, and she was quite ready for it to be over. Before she could express this, Apollo gave her one last lingering look before turning and leaving without saying goodbye. Tem glanced up at Caspen, who was staring after his brother with his eyebrows furrowed.

“What was that about?”

“I do not know what you mean.”

“I mean, what’s with you two? Are you…on good terms?”

Caspen rolled his shoulders. “We are not on bad terms.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“We are not on bad terms,” Caspen said again, harsher this time.

Tem gave him a look. She didn’t believe that for a second. Another question was on the tip of her tongue: “Was he flirting with me?”